Cleveland Plus has a strong manufacturing base that supports its food production industry. It has over 800 food processing and manufacturing establishments, benefits from its location between agricultural regions and major markets, and has access to fresh water from Lake Erie. The region has nearly 10,000 workers in food batching and packaging and is home to major food companies like Pepsi, Heinz, and JM Smucker. Cleveland Plus has an annual $2 billion food manufacturing industry composed of sectors like grain milling, dairy, and bakeries.

1. Leading in
Food Processing
Strength in the Food Industry
+ Over 800 food-related processing and manufacturing
establishments in Cleveland Plus ®
+ An Ohio Department of Development targeted industry
+ Abundant supply of fresh water from Lake Erie
+ The region is strategically located between the grain belt
and the populous eastern markets
Source: Dun and Bradstreet; NorTech
Cleveland Plus Workforce
Cleveland Plus provides much of Ohio’s manufacturing workers
in food processing.
Food Batchmakers
+ Existing Cleveland Plus Employment: 973
Packers and Packagers
+ Existing Cleveland Plus Employment: 3,260
The Cleveland Plus region is home to a 2 million person workforce,
with a strong heritage in manufacturing. This competitive advantage
is one of the reasons why manufacturing continues to be the largest
industry in the Cleveland Plus economy. Supporting this legacy is
manufacturing organizations like MAGNET.
MAGNET
Since 1984, the Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network
(MAGNET), has assisted thousands of manufacturers through its
Edison Technology Center programs, Manufacturing Extension
Partnership Services and Business Incubation programs. Recently
MAGNET has expanded its mission to assist manufacturers through
programs that address manufacturing-related education,
competitiveness, innovation and regulatory affairs. MAGNET is
a "one-stop shop" for entrepreneurs and technology-driven
manufacturers seeking resources to become or remain globally
competitive.
Source: Dun & Bradstreet 2008 data, Moody’s Economy.com

2. Strong Manufacturing Base Supports
Food Production in Cleveland Plus
Employment & Average Wages for Selected Occupations
(All Wages in U.S. Dollars)
Position Employment As % of State Hourly Wage Annual Wage
Food Batchmakers 973 27% $10.25 $23,317
Packers and Packagers 3,260 28% $10.83 $25,875
Mixing/Blending Machine Operators 3,070 37% $17.06 $36,400
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Cleveland Plus is Home to Many
Global Food Manufacturers
+ Cleveland Plus is home to major production and
distribution facilities for globally recognized companies
such as Pepsi, H.J. Heinz, Nestle, and J.M. Smucker
+ Ohio exported more than $25 billion in 2006
+ Strategically located within an eight hour drive of many
U.S. markets
+ Ohio’s Commercial Activity Tax (CAT) does not tax food
exported outside of the state
Source: Dun and Bradstreet and Ohio Department of Development
Food Manufacturing Composed
of Strong Sectors, High Gross
Components of Food Manufacturing
Regional Product GRP in Cleveland Plus : 2008
+ Nearly $2 billion in Food Manufacturing Animal Food
Gross Product in 2008 Grain and Oilseed Miling
Sugar and Confectionary
+ More than 15,000 employees directly involved Products
in food manufacturing and production Animal Slaughtering and
Processing
Dairy Product
+ Low private sector unionization rates
Other Foods
Fruit, Vegetable and
Specialty Foods
Bakeries and Tortilla
$0 $50 $100 $150 $200 $250 $300 $350 $400 $450 $500
(Millions 2008 $)
Source: Economy.com
clevelandplusbusiness.com